Modified foods protested at courthouse

WEST CHESTER — Taking a stand against modified seed from Monsanto, protesters gathered Saturday outside the Historic Courthouse as part of a national campaign.

The protesters say the company’s genetically modified products are poisonous and dangerous to the environment.

Monsanto Co., based in St. Louis, says its products are safe and help farmers produce more food.

The federal government, which regulates food safety, has taken no action on the matter.

To passersby at High and Market streets, protesters passed out materials claiming genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are unhealthy.

“Just say no to GMO!” the demonstrators chanted. “No more poisons in our food!”

Phil Biaesch, 23, of Pocopson, helped organize the local event. He said he and his friends are concerned that Monsanto is creating mutant food with genetic modifications.

Biaesch, 23, said people want to know about the genetically mutated foods they are eating while Monsanto wants to hide that information.

Pam Lenza, 56, of Uwchlan, said it was the first protest she has attended. She said her grandsons were sick from a disorder that prevents them from properly digesting food and that she believes this may be the result of GMOs. Finding the help of a doctor is hard, she explained, because the disorder doesn’t have an official name.

Many children were present with their parents, holding signs and chanting at an event called as a protest for “our children, grandchildren and their children’s future.”